Its my first full Wisconsin winter in many years. In NYC I was always able to get by with a wool jacket and a warm hoodie underneath. The wool jacket's cuffs began to fray from wear (hoping to fix with a trip to a tailor) so I pulled out my _really_ warm Columbia Titanium interchange jacket (fleece and hard shell layers) which I probablyyyyy bought about 10 years ago.

I am very happy with the Columbia jacket until I notice a flakey yellow-white dandruff - some sort of waterproofing layer is flaking off. A couple of trips through the washing machine aaaaand now it has a rip in the elbow.* Mother @#$%&! I'm done with this.

---

Options for replacement -

a) Go to some place like Kolh's, Fleet Farm, or similar places and hope to find their nicest jackets at season closeout prices.

b) Go with some sort of puffy layer / hardshell layer. On the cheaper end is Uniqlo. I might get both layers for $120. If I follow Outside mag recommendations, it could top $700. (ridiculous, yes, but what info should I believe?)

c) ???

Criteria - has to be warm and durable. Fashionable would be nice

What do you like for cold winter outerwear?

* I am dreaming of owning my own washing machine. One that's _not_ top load with a central agitator. This machine tore open _two_ garments today. Never again....

In general, as you probably know, it's base layer, mid layer, then outer layer. It's well worth getting one really good mid and outer layer each. I like Columbia for base layer. I don't know that one can beat Patagonia's down sweater (actually a down jacket that's surprising thin) for a mid layer. And you can use it without an additional outer layer in warmer but still winter temps. RAB microlight alpine is a close second. For women it's a larger, less fitting cut. The Patagonia R1 or R2 fleece is secondary mid layer I wear under the down layer when it's low 30's or below (I am a cold person). The outer layer should be windproof and water resistant. With all of these, except the base layer, you must use tech wash and TX Direct to clean and maintain DWR. Normal detergents can ruin DWR. I don't have a suggestion for an outer layer.

well 25f is not particularly cold, what are you doing and what would use this for? Driving to work, or are you going ice fishing?

I would only use a hard shell if there is a specific reason for that and/or you like the style. If there is an Eddie Bauer around the first ascent line is nice (and their stuff is pretty much always on sale). You want something warmer than a light down or synth puffy layer, so something that has more of a shell with insulation built in (100g of primaloft or more).

2) I have a Columbia dual layer winter coat, real winter gloves, stocking hat (latest is from NASA in Florida, so nothing super warm), wool scarf when below zero (mine is from Scotland, but any non-scratchy scarf), I wear a sweatshirt hood as needed, and I have ski pants (or long underwear) for below zero outings.

My next jacket will come from Patagonia. Life-time guarantee, they know outdoors.

What size are you, mattkime? I have an 90's era, hardly-been-used Columbia Whirlibird down jacket/waterproof shell combo (size L or XL, not sure) I've been looking to get rid of for some time now. Outer shell is dark grey with a red liner; down jacket is reversible and can show either a red or blue liner.

I only ever wore it a few times - it is simply too much jacket for SoCal. I'll give you a good price on it - PM me if you're interested.

EDIT: I found photos of the jacket (sans liner) online. You can't see the images below, but if you right-click on the missing graphic icons and select "Open Image In New Tab/Window" you will be able to see them.

Layering is the way to go. Keep in mind that the principle behind layering is to trap warm air between the layers. This requires that all of the garments are relatively loose fitting. Tight clothing is not as insulating. Of course, the other advantage of layering is that it’s easy to add or remove layers to adjust for changing temps.

The worst thing you can do in cold weather is to overdress and start sweating. This can lead to hypothermia, which is a very uncomfortable and occasionally fatal condition. You can get hypothermia even in warm temperatures - during the summer, for instance.

“Eenie meenie chili beanie, the spirits are about to speak.“ Bullwinkle

“Pessimism is a luxury of good times. In difficult times, it is a self-fulfilling, self-inflicted death sentence.” – Evelin Lindner (German psychologist, physician)

“The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it.” George Orwell

Might want to check out Steep n Cheap. I bought a Marmot softshell there a few years ago for about $60, nice deal. That's my main winter coat here in cold KC although it is fairly useless sans layering under it. I have a Spyder hardshell circa '05 with a liner that is more substantial but bulky. Only wear that when it's <30. Which is most of this winter! Look for wool neck gators, socks, etc as mentioned. Warm and wicking.

Disclaimer: This post is checked for correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Any attempts at humor are solely the responsibility of the author and bear no claim that any and all readers will approve or appreciate said attempt at humor.
My name is DP, and I approve this message.

A $5 Tenacious Tape repair kit should hold you over until a suitable sale comes along.

As others have mentioned, I too like to layer so the waterproof outer shell is separate from the down component and inner fleece. So when one fails I don't have to replace all three.

The inner fleece can be washed more often than the entire coat. And by not having to wear that outer waterproof GoreTex layer every time I wear the coat, it lasts much longer. I've worn that outer Goretex shell maybe 5 times in the year.

another vote for good wool socks and boots and layer, layer , layer. I will admit I do own a huge down 'car coat', but I will only wear it when the temperature is below 0F. Otherwise it's too hot. My go to layer is.. wicking T shirt, long sleeve shirt (Henley or dress), Columbia fleece jacket, Columbia rain shell. I have a pair of leather Thinsulate gloves and of course my Tilley 'dad hat' which gets compliments wherever I go. If it's really cold a sweater may be added in there. If I'm camping, long johns go on to keep the legs warm. A balaclava might go on the head under the Tilley if it's super cold.

The good news is this is the time when a lot of stores start putting their winter coats on clearance. A year or two ago at about this time of year I got a seriously warm coat for about 25% of its original cost. You can tell when you try it on whether a coat is "seriously" warm. I only wear it when it's below 20F. Otherwise I wear the typical LL Bean or Eddie Bauer type lighter coats in the winter.

Also, a trick for cold weather that I learned many years ago from a roommate: long underwear. Long johns make an enormous difference in your comfort when it's cold.